PreKote JA.pdf

This is a Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification document for a five-year Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) issued by the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC). The 76 Aircraft Maintenance Group is seeking to procure Patheon PreKote Blue IAW surface pretreatment for various aircraft (KC-135, C130J, C-130 AFSOC, B-1, E-3, E-6) during wash processes, with an estimated contract value of $4,200,000.00. The requirement is for 72 totes per year of 275-gallon PreKote Blue chemical pretreatment, specified in Technical Orders 1C-135-6WS-25 and TO 1-1-8.

PreKote Blue was initially tested at TAFB in 2023 and determined to be a safer, more environmentally friendly replacement for Iodine, which contains Hexavalent Chromium. The Air Force has worked over 25 years to eliminate Hexavalent Chromium from aircraft painting processes. Market research was conducted through GSA eBuy RFI, and while no direct pricing responses were received, five small businesses were identified and subsequently contacted, all expressing willingness to participate: Automotive & Industrial Supply, IGCS, Wrigglesworth Enterprises, Tera Consulting, and Mono Machines. The government intends to award three to five agreements, with an estimated award date of 30 September 2025.